Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Torre: Hey Kuroda, come on in my office, I want to talk to you about tonight.

Kuroda: Yeah, coach.

Torre: Well, you know this is a nationally televised game with about a million Japanese press here tonight for your Fukudome matchup. So I picked a lineup especially for you! (Shows him the lineup card). See how much offense we are going to generate! Aren't you excited? We have FOUR rookie infielders and THREE sophomore players. You have great veteran leadership in Pierre too. So go get 'em buddy. We will spot you one run the entire night. Just go out there and pitch a shutout and you just might win.

So it was freezing tonight, I think I had 12 layers on and I was still cold. And the Dodger offense was just as cold. "Close the damn roof!" I thought to myself, but then realized I wasn't in Milwaukee. Kuroda did all he could with the craptacular offensive display by the dodgers - truly offensive. You have to tip your cap to Kuroda for his effort, holding them to one run for a good portion of the game and keeping his pitch count down was impressive (the picture is Kuroda vs Fukudome). Then towards the end of the game we had he bases loaded TWICE with the meat of the lineup coming to bat. But, of course, the Dodgers implode. Man, that was depressing.

Only thing I got to take away was being with the crowded, drunk Cub fans for the long ride back on the El. I'm a glutton for punishment and will go back tomorrow for the last game of the series to see if we can salvage anything. Go Blue!

It's amazing what $16 can get you at stadiums around the country. I especially loved the vendors at Wrigley walking around with hotdogs and the cans of Old Style beer. $3 beers always taste better when compared to beers as high as $12 at Dodger Stadium.

I tipped the nacho guy, Sax, mostly because I didn't want to wait for my change. On Monday, we tipped the beer guy more than once, but that's the only time I've purchased something from one of the vendors walking around. They, unfortunately, will not bring me nachos directly to my seat, though we (my friends and I) did discuss the idea of having a guy with a nacho cheese dispenser attached to his back, walking around providing me with the goodness. They have margarita guys like that at some parks.

Olde Style cost me $6.25, but it was well worth it. Delicious.

It's supposed to be warmer tonight. I have seats a little further from the field this time, but still good. Aisle 219, Row 1, in case anyone is interested.

EK, because Wrigley serves Pepsi, I have to drink it. Tonight is the last game for a while, and I will go back on the wagon. I will also start going to the gym again (I have no excuse, since there's one in the hotel). I have been a lazy S.O.B. since I arrived in Chicago. One more night of that, so perhaps the Dodgers can send me into my life of sobriety with a win.